In 2014, I was living in Dubai.
These days, many voiceover artists work from professional home studios and connect remotely with clients all over the world. Back then, things were a little different.
If you were booked for a commercial voiceover, you generally turned up at a recording studio and expected to find a room full of people. Sound engineers. Agency representatives. Producers. Sometimes even the client themselves.
Which is what made this particular Kellogg’s TV commercial voiceover session rather memorable.
A recording session with no client
When I arrived at the studio to record the voiceover for this lovely animated Kellogg’s commercial, there was nobody there.
Well, almost nobody.
The sound engineer was sitting on the other side of the glass, but the agency and client representatives who would normally provide direction were nowhere to be seen.
As I recall, there had been some kind of communication mix-up. The session had been booked, the advert needed recording, but the people responsible for directing the voiceover weren’t available.
The show, however, had to go on.
Trusting experience behind the microphone
After discussing the situation with the engineer, I suggested we simply get on with it.
We had the finished animation. We had the soundtrack. We had the script.
So rather than waiting around, I watched the footage, listened carefully to the pacing and tone of the advert, and delivered what I felt was the most appropriate performance for the campaign.
As a professional voiceover artist, that’s often part of the job.
It’s not just about reading words from a page. It’s about understanding what a brand is trying to communicate and finding the right delivery to bring that message to life.
For a household name like Kellogg’s, the voice needed warmth, personality and a sense of trust, while still matching the playful animation on screen.
The first take was the one
After recording several takes, the missing agency and client representatives were eventually tracked down and connected remotely.
They listened to the recordings.
And chose the very first take.
No requests for major changes. No endless rounds of revisions. No ‘Let’s just get a few more for safety.’
Just a straightforward approval and a happy client.
As voiceover sessions go, it doesn’t get much smoother than that.
Why commercial voiceover is about more than just reading a script
People sometimes assume that commercial voiceover is simply a case of having a nice voice.
In reality, much of the work happens before you even speak.
Understanding the audience.
Reading the mood of the campaign.
Matching the pace, energy and personality of the visuals and music backing track.
Making decisions when direction isn’t available.
That’s where experience makes a difference.
After more than three decades behind the microphone, I’ve learned that every commercial has its own character. The challenge is finding the voice that helps bring it to life.
And occasionally, as with this Kellogg’s TV commercial, that means trusting your instincts and letting the work speak for itself.
Looking for an experienced British voiceover artist for your next commercial, brand campaign or advertising project? Get in touch to discuss your requirements.
